Chapter 30: The Ascension of Ash

Time is meaningless in the Void-Mother’s realm.

Days? Weeks? Maybe eons have passed.

Who cares?

Lucien definitely doesn’t.

The air ripples with technicolor clouds and magic so thick it hums against the skin. The arena is a swirling platform suspended in an endless void, where floating chunks of stone rotate lazily, sometimes on fire, sometimes screaming in demonic tongues. The scent of vanilla and sin wafts over the battlefield like incense from a pleasure cult’s temple.

Lucien blasts across the arena, a streak of obsidian and smoke, dodging spells, debris, and the ever shifting environment.

Above it all, Serenith lounges on a plush, violet chaise that drifts gently above the carnage. Two tiny winged void-creatures flutter around her, refilling her wine goblet and feeding her grapes the size of fists. She giggles, stroking one of them under the chin like a spoiled cat.

"You’re doing great, Lucien!" she calls between bites. "Love these cute little summons! They’re my favorite!"

Below, Lucien slams into the ground, conjuring a massive wall of ash just in time to block a flaming meteor that screams at him as it crashes down.

KABWOOOOOOM~

Smoke and fire tear across the field. Serenith shields her eyes with a glowing hand. Then, from the wreckage, Lucien stumbles out... shirtless, bruised, hair tousled, pants clinging to him in a scandalous way.

"Had enough?" the Void-Mother calls cheerfully, floating above with thick streaks of swirling magic spinning lazily around her like fluttering moths.

Lucien coughs, spits out a little blood, and raises a shaky thumbs-up. "Totally fine. Ten outta ten. Love the whole apocalypse aesthetic you got going here."

"Perfect!" she chirps. Then snaps her fingers.

Three more meteorites pop into existence, humming ominously.

Lucien’s eyes widen. "Ah, looks like the foreplay’s over..."

The air thickens as he digs his feet into the arena floor, grits his teeth, and roars. Magic bursts from him in a shockwave that cracks the stones and makes Serenith nearly spill her wine.

"Ooooh," the angel coos, rising to her feet. "Now we’re talking."

The wild magic condenses over Lucien’s body, wrapping him in a flickering membrane of power that shimmers between shadow and flame. He grins and waves a welcoming hand at the Void-Mother.

"Ready when you are, darling."

She arches a brow, laughing. "Good. Then catch!"

The meteorites scream through the air. Lucien launches upward like a six-packed cannonball of smoldering sin.

Serenith gasps, eyes wide as she leans over her podium.

"He’s insane! He’s gonna die! He’s gonna—"

BOOM~

Lucien blurs past the first meteor.

BOOM~

The second.

BOOOOM~

The third.

Each one erupts behind him in a cascade of fire and color, but Lucien doesn’t stop. He rockets through the sky, now right beside the Void-Mother.

Her eyes widen. "Not bad."

She swipes a hand and a beam of void-magic tears through the air, splitting reality as it surges toward Lucien.

The beam of void-light slips through him, splitting him cleanly in half.

Serenith shrieks.

Then another Lucien appears beside the Void-Mother.

Then another.

And a few more.

Soon, a dozen Luciens circle her, each smirking with the same confident, cocky grin.

The Void-Mother narrows her eyes. "You sneaky little—"

She erupts in raw magical power, blasting them away in a shockwave that bends reality itself. The technicolor clouds scatter. Space itself shatters like glass under the strain of her power.

Breathing heavily, the Void-Mother scans the skies. "Where’d he go?"

Her gaze finds Serenith, who smirks, tilting her head upward.

"Peekaboo."

The Void-Mother’s eyes rise to find Lucien floating directly above her, waving sheepishly as a massive spear of shadow plummets down toward her.

Before she can react, the spear strikes.

POP~

It bursts into a cloud of ash-formed butterflies.

The Void-Mother blinks.

Then bursts into laughter, doubled over mid-air, holding her sides.

"You little shit," she chuckles through tears.

Lucien floats down beside her. "Still counts as a win. I just didn’t want to hurt someone as beautiful as you."

The demi-goddess flushes. "You’re too damn cocky. But you’re good."

Lucien bows dramatically. "I aim to please."

She boops him on the nose. "I’d love to keep going, but... I’ve been getting some very loud messages from an Elder Dragon named Valgereth. He says he’s going to storm my realm if I don’t send you back."

Lucien gasps. "Of course. The trip. Might have slipped my mind."

Serenith drifts down, sipping her wine. "Val’s gonna skin your ass."

Lucien flexes. "Let him try. I’m not scared of that big lizard anymore."

The Void-Mother chuckles. "You’ve grown strong... but don’t underestimate the wrath of a pissed-off Elder Dragon."

"Duly noted." Lucien replies, paling slightly.

She raises a hand and a swirling portal of midnight and stardust opens beside them.

Serenith punches the air with joy.

"Finally. Fresh air! Sunlight! Moisture that doesn’t moan!"

She hovers at the portal. The Void-Mother turns to Lucien, planting a kiss on his cheek.

"Thank you for the visit. Always a... pleasure having you around."

Lucien grins. "Oh dear, no. Thank you. You’ve been amazing. I only wish—"

She slaps his ass. "Go. Before we end up in my bedroom for two more days."

He sighs dramatically. "Tempting."

"You’ll come back," she purrs.

"Oh, I will. Promise."

Back in the mortal plane...

Lucien emerges from the tent, blinking against the sun. The air smells of sand and steel. He stretches, bones popping, the warmth bathing him like a welcome home kiss.

"MY LOOOOORD!" two voices shriek.

Vex and Vile slam into him, knocking him flat. They hug him tightly, nuzzling him on both sides.

"You were gone forever!" Vex cries.

"We thought she kidnapped you and turned you into a sex pet!" Vile wails.

Lucien mock-pouts. "Wait, that was an option? I think I should go back—"

The twins squeal and mock-slap him repeatedly. He laughs, pulling them close and kissing their foreheads.

"I missed you too."

"Hey!" comes Ignara’s voice. She, X’zelle, and Alexel approach, arms crossed. "What about us?"

Lucien smiles. "Of course. All of you."

"Don’t forget me!" Veyra calls with a shy smile, sprinting up with Selena slithering beside her.

Veyra welcomes him back with a deep bow. "Are you alright, my lord?!"

Selena’s tail curls protectively. "We were... concerned."

Before Lucien can answer—

"YOU! WHERE WERE YOU?!"

Val strides up. Cursing and scowling. A smear of meat sauce dripping from his chin.

"Valgereth. Buddy. You look... well fed."

"You were gone a week," Val grumbles. "You promised two days."

Lucien bows. "Oh, trust me. It was worth the delay."

Valgereth snorts, rolling his eyes. "I care not. We leave immediately." He turns to a group of attendants and barks. "Prepare the carriages!"

"Hey." Lucien pouts. "I just got back! Give me a minute."

"I gave you five days."

Lucien sighs. "I just spent weeks in there understanding my power, and I’m gonna lose all of it once I cross that border. At least let me show you what I learned."

Valgereth turns to him with a raised eyebrow.

"How about a little spar?" Lucien smirks.